PM Modi Likely To Attend European Union Summit In Brussels In December: Report

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is planning to attend the European Union (EU) summit in Brussels in December, a visit that could provide an opportunity to advance the India-EU free trade agreement (FTA), Politico reported, citing two officials familiar with the matter.

PM Modi is expected to join EU leaders for the European Council’s final scheduled meeting of the year on December 17-18, according to the report.

However, the visit has not been officially confirmed and plans could change. “We are working on it,” one official told Politico.

FTA Could Be Signed By Year-End

The possible visit comes after India and the European Commission concluded negotiations on the comprehensive FTA on January 27 this year, during the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi. The two sides also signed a security

and defence partnership.

The trade agreement has not yet been formally signed, which is the next step before the pact can move towards ratification. Modi’s presence at the December summit could offer an opportunity to advance the process, although EU member states are yet to give their final backing.

Government sources said last week that the FTA remains on track for signing before the end of 2026. Legal scrubbing of the agreement has been completed, while internal approvals and translation work are underway on the EU side.

Trade Ties Gain Momentum

The proposed deal covers a market of nearly two billion people and around a quarter of the global economy. Under the agreement, India would receive duty-free or preferential access across 97% of EU tariff lines, benefiting sectors including textiles, leather, gems and jewellery.

The EU would gain tariff reductions or eliminations on more than 90% of goods exported to India. The pact also covers 144 EU services sub-sectors and includes provisions aimed at making movement easier for skilled Indian professionals.

India-EU trade has expanded steadily. Bilateral goods trade stood at $136.54 billion in 2024-25, with Indian exports at $75.85 billion and imports at $60.68 billion. Trade in services reached $83.10 billion in 2024.